The Tao of Kung Fu # 30 - "Peace lies in the man who walks the Path."

In this clip Master Po ( Keye Luke) delivers what must be his most profound line in the Kung Fu television series, "Peace lies not in the world, but in the man who walks the Path."

This reveals to us that those on the Path do not seek to obtain peace by attempting changing the world, but rather to find peace within themselves. This is in contrast to the common belief that peace can only be achieved by forcing others to change.

Unfortunately it is inevitable that one on a path of peace will encounter those who don't share the same desire for peace. To this Master Po advices Caine, "Seek a different Path".

There is a story from ancient China that tells of an obstinate donkey that was blocking a busy and narrow thoroughfare. Whenever someone approached the donkey, it became unsettled and attempted to kick the passersby. Soon the busy thoroughfare was at a standstill.

At that moment a sage known for his great wisdom approached the bustling lane. All the people watched with anticipation, expecting the great master to have some highly profound solution. Yet the great teacher surprised them all by simply opting to take a detour down an alternative lane.

This ancient story is a fine example of avoiding contention by seeking an alternative path. The sage recognised his presence would do nothing but add to the donkey's already very stressed demeanour. However, if the people were to take the master's lead and also seek a different path, the donkey would eventually calm down and be easily led away.

Unfortunately taking a different path isn't always possible and so we then hear young Caine ask, "What if at each turn appears those who would be violent and do not love peace?" To this the Shaolin Master responds by telling Caine one must develop both compassion and wisdom equally. Yet how can this help us overcome an aggressive adversary?

Those on the Path are always at liberty to defend themselves if no other peaceful way is obtainable. However, this must always be done without anger or malice. The goal should be to end the conflict and nothing more. In chapter 30 of the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu wrote, "Just do what needs to be done. Never take advantage of power."

This advice isn't only intended for martial arts or the battle field. In our day to day lives we often encounter very difficult and aggressive people. Nevertheless the sagely advice of seeking a different path applies as much today as it did in bygone centuries.

Nonetheless sometimes seeking another path isn't always feasible and one has no other choice but to stand their ground and resist. However far too often a victim is lured into sinking to the same level as the aggressor and here begins a very dangerous game of tit-for-tat. If the authorities do finally become involved, it will be very difficult for them to distinguish the perpetrator from the victim as both have become as equally malevolent.

Most jurisdictions have legislation to protect the rights of the individual and those in the most vulnerable positions. Therefore the best way to resolve a conflict is by always maintaining the highest moral standards and looking to resolve any contention in the most amicable way possible. If this fails you will then be in an excellent position to involve the appropriate authorities to enforce a resolution.

In the meantime there is a basic principle used in the martial art of Kung Fu that can be applied just as well in the modern world of psychological combat. The basis of the Shaolin martial art is to allow your opponent's own actions to bring about there own downfall. Nevertheless, this requires one to use wisdom and compassion.

Wisdom is required for one to be able to stay calm and retain one's most benevolent nature. Anger will only serve to cloud one's judgement and may result in actions that weaken one's position in the eyes of an adjudicator.

Compassion is required to prevent one from becoming cruel, revengeful or seek ascendancy. Malevolence not only weakens one's position in the eyes of others and will more than likely initiate an escalating cycle of retribution.

Although it may be extremely difficult initially, only compassion for a former adversary can serve as a good foundation for peace. Surely this is our ultimate goal and the one most desired for our children?

Please visit my YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/TaoFAQ

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Kung
• Fu
• Wisdom
• Path
• Sage
• Compassion
• Contention
• Psychological
• Combat
• Moral
• Standards
• Retribution
• Shaolin
• Philosophy
• Martial
• Arts

[LookingforDivinity]

hello there, my friend.

Very inspiring, i have watched 1 till 30, as i think is all you have.

As i see in your added text, this is a serie and not a movie?

Than how can i find to recieve them?

I thought about downloading, but if it is a serie that would take me to download quite a lot!

Do you have any advice for me?

Thank you for sharing!

[yinyangnature]

@LookingforDivinity The Youtube channel called "Girlfromrio" has the TV series.

[Frankiji]

Thank you for uploading these video clips of one of my earliest heroes... It brings up very sweet, reminiscent memories... Greetings Frank from Switzerland...

[yinyangnature]

@Frankiji Thank you and greetings from Australia.

[tolstoy143]

Wow, every time I watch these videos I start to feel like I am beginning to understand more and more. Like young Caine I didn't really understand the path Master Po is explaining until just now as I was stuck on the mindset that it was a path in life relating to the physical world. I know suddenly understand how these precepts tie together as the path is an internal one. If you seek not to contend and be on good terms with all you can avoid violence in your HEART.

Wow.

[yinyangnature]

@tolstoy143 Congratulations my friend! You certainly had a very deep and beautiful insight. I wish you many many more as you walk the Path of peace and Oneness. For nothing is more beautiful than the Truth beyond self advantage.

[upupsteru]

my compassion came from my wisdom,

once you see that we are all one, then why would you want to hurt yourself. we fellow beings of this planet, are all on the same team.

[jplawq]

It is from this series that began my journey of myself. I began to question my beliefs, traditions, and social stereotypes. When I asked myself and others Why, why must I be this way of that? I learned that there is no answer. It just IS. When I discovered this, I found peace. I am what I am and nothing more than the sum of the evolution of my self. I know the middle path and I have tried to walk it everyday. I can sometime hear the grasshopper at my feet. Thank you. RIP

[onecocobunny4u]

@LookingforDivinity You can get the movie(only in vhs) and the box series 57 episodes on ebay for about $50.00

[stingmon93]

all of the quotes from this show are powerful yet gentle, Having Balance in life is important, there is good yet there is evil, Balance is all around us, but much like good and evil, there are those who chose to see it and those who chose not to.

[Dan4USCTroy]

Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them.

Bruce Lee

[TaoFAQ]

@MightyZarkon True. But I feel a change in attitudes, that will soon reach an irreversible critical mass. We will all soon be on the same Path of Oneness.

[MightyZarkon]

I wish this culture were worldwide, what a great world it would be. So much darkness in the world today, you can feel it, people are full of fear. Their governments teach them to fear, their religions teach them to fear and there is much anger and violence today.

[TheTinLong]

Obrigada por resgatar esta magnífica obra cinematográfica do Tao para os anos 2000. Minha vida despertou através desta série e estou no caminho do Tao até hoje em direção ao infinito. Só sinto que o ator não tenha tido a mesma vida auspiciosa que a tantos incitou através do seu personagem Caine tão bem interpretado mas não experenciado ... Velzi Moreschi Brasil.

[AlgisKemezys]

Nice memories.

[Mystrymeat]

@e5acf4 Indeed, perhaps Jesus was not THE son of God as many would say, but instead, A son of God. Come to tell us that we are all capable of great things, even though we are but small beings in this universe. If there is a God, I doubt it's the one in the Bible, not necessarily because the God in the book is rather cruel, but because no man could ever adequately describe an incomprehensible being, especially within the confines of his own text. Jesus knew this, which is why he spoke in parables